Supreme Court to hear oral arguments at Drake

Iowa’s Supreme Court justices will hear oral arguments in two cases next week at Drake University Law School in Des Moines. Judicial branch spokesperson Steve Davis says the annual event will hold extra significance this year because three new justices are joining the bench on Monday.

“It will be the first time for two of the three new Supreme Court justices to hear oral arguments,” Davis said. One new justice, Edward Mansfield of Des Moines, is a former appeals court judge. Davis says Mansfield will not participate in the March 24th proceedings at Drake because he heard the two cases previously on the appeals court.

“Both cases are further review cases,” Davis said. This is the 74th year for the “Supreme Court Celebration” at Drake University. Davis says it’s designed to help law students become more familiar with appellate court procedure and arguments. The two other justices joining the bench next week, in addition to Mansfield, are Thomas Waterman of Pleasant Valley and Bruce Zager of Waterloo.

Governor Branstad selected the three justices last month after Iowa voters ousted three justices in a retention election. Former Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and former Justices Michael Streit and David Baker were targeted for their roles in a 2009 ruling that led to the legalization of same-sex marriage in Iowa.